The university’s Jewish organization center Hillel at FSU is located on West Pensacola Street. / Patrick O’Neill/FSView

Written by

Patrick O’Neill

Contributing Writer

Eighty-five years ago, an organization called Hillel was established with the mission to enrich the lives of Jewish undergraduate and graduate students so that they may enrich the Jewish people and the world.

"Hillel is extremely important here on campus," said Jamie Stafford, a recent FSU alumnus. "Jewish people, historically, have not had their own state. Organizations like Hillel provide stability through which Jewish people can celebrate their culture.”

Recently, questions have circulated regarding the well being of Hillel at Florida State, specifically because of national finances and the stepping down of President and CEO of Hillel Wayne Firestone.

“The organization is poised to grow to a new scale, in order to accommodate the rapid growth in student participation in the United States that we have driven over the past several years (from 33 percent to 45 percent student involvement from 2005 to 2012, according to a formal study),” Firestone said in a message to Hillel leaders, according to The Global News Service of the Jewish People. "This effort will require strong senior leadership and new financial resources.”

When asked if she had heard rumors about the possible demise of the organization, Hillel Executive Director Melanie Annis said Hillel is not closing, simply undergoing a national change in leadership.

“On the one hand, the international umbrella organization is going through a presidential transition,” Annis said. “Wayne Firestone is stepping down. However, we’ve been assured that this is simply a change in leadership. It’s the same as when any organization changes leadership. It’s not good or bad— just change. I just think it’s like everything else in this economy.”

Not only is the organization not closing, Annis said, it is also proposing to expand.

“Could we be in better shape? Sure,” Annis said. “Do we have aspirations and future plans involving growth? Yes, including a proposed new building at the corner of Woodward and St. Augustine."

Finances, however, are not the only factor that keeps organizations like Hillel afloat. Participation within the student body is pivotal to its continuity.

"We have over 4,000 Jewish students here," said Ron Krudo, treasurer of Hillel at FSU. "We see maybe 200 of their faces. We could certainly have a stronger base of students coming out and showing their support for Hillel. We're constantly working to inform students on campus of our mission. We're glad to know people are interested in Hillel's well-being, and we'd ask those people to help us grow by getting involved.”

Annis had a positive outlook regarding the amount of student participation at the organization.

"We’re number 18 in the Nation for Jewish population at a state university," Annis said. "That’s about 4,000 students. We see over 200 of them. Do you call that disheartening? Or, is that pretty amazing? I think it’s really a matter of perspective.”

As of now, Hillel at Florida State is alive and well. The organization continues to provide support on campus, not only to Jewish students, but to anyone interested in learning more about Judaism.

Upcoming events include a home-style Shabbat on Oct. 19 as well as a football tailgate, which will begin two hours prior to the Duke kickoff, on the corner of Woodward and Pensacola on Oct. 27.

"If you have a question or a concern, please feel free to come talk to us,” said Annis. “Our doors are always open."